Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway

As developer and owner, People Incorporated is proud to bring our community economic development expertise to Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway. Located in Abingdon, Virginia, the 30,000 square-foot building sits on eight acres alongside Interstate 81. When completed, the LEED Certified building will feature artisan galleries, a premium restaurant and food court with locally supplied organic fare, video portraits of musicians, craftspeople, and places to visit. Interactive maps of the region will highlight enticing destinations for visitors and those considering relocation to our area. The center will showcase exhibits and demonstrations by well-known local artisans and will serve as a major venue on The Crooked Road, complete with professionally produced musical performances. The building will also house the offices of 'Round the Mountain, Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Network and The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.

Heartwood is the latest and largest effort to market Southwest Virginia as a single, unified destination to benefit the economy of the entire region. The building and its combined initiatives will contribute to a sustainable economy by highlighting the unique natural assets of the region so visitors, businesses and entrepreneurs can easily find what they seek. The facility will serve as the cultural and entrepreneurial introduction to the counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe, and the cities of, Bristol, Galax, Norton and Radford.

These communities and their cultural assets, affectionately known as “The String of Pearls,” are connected through The Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission. Established by the General Assembly in 2008, the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission is the coordinating body for the blend of cultural heritage tourism and economic development efforts fostering Southwest Virginia’s new economy. In three years, Heartwood is expected to attract more than 270,000 visitors, generate $2.2 million in revenue, and result in a total economic impact in excess of $28 million to the region.

People Incorporated develops asset-based programs and strategies that are designed to move people and communities into the economic mainstream. We are proud to be a member of the Heartwood project team dedicated to enhancing the cultural economy of Southwest Virginia. In 2010, People Incorporated provided services to over 7,500 clients and generated an economic impact of over $48 million in communities throughout Virginia.

Find out more about Heartwood >